US woman accused of trying to join, martyr self for IS group

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia woman was arrested today on charges she tried to join and martyr herself for the Islamic State group, a day after two women in New York were charged with plotting to wage jihad by building a bomb and using it for a Boston Marathon-type attack.

Keonna Thomas, 30, was preparing to travel overseas to fight with the terror group and hoped to make it to Syria, authorities said. Instead, she was arrested at her home, which has three small U.S. flags adorning the porch.

Authorities said that she communicated with an Islamic State group fighter in Syria who asked if she wanted to be part of a martyrdom operation. She told the fighter that the opportunity "would be amazing," according to the documents.

It's unclear if she has a lawyer who could comment on the charges; a woman who answered the phone at her home declined to comment. Thomas was due to make an initial appearance in federal court later this afternoon.